Hampton Court, England

March 1535

Spring came early this year and as a result, members of the court could be found littering the courtyards, open corridors and gardens of Hampton Court. The colors in season were vibrant, the fashion was off the scales, and laughter echoed in the air in every corner. The king's heir will be born any day now and everyone was on the edge of their seat with excitement. Queen Anne could not fail King Henry now. They had all heard the story, many of them were there and saw what happened with their own two eyes. The king had ridden into a joust with Lady Jane Seymore's favors and had ended up nearly dying. It was in this unconscious state that he dreamt Queen Anne had given him a son. All the famous scientists and sooth Sayers all said the same thing. It will be a son at for King Henry at last.

Not all members of court were in high spirits however. Mary sat in a secluded part of the garden on steps that led into the pond. Her dearest friend, Margaret, the Lady Colt sat beside her reading out of a book of poems written by Sir Thomas Wyatt. Mary, not really listening to Marge, was reflecting on her life in the last three months. It had been quiet. She remained in the country until a month ago when she was finally summoned back for the birth of her brother or sister. Tom had been in London as early as January, but he made efforts to come back to Tutbury often enough. Things had improved a little between them since the tragic passing of Matilda. Tom stopped drinking as much, he stopped picking fights with anyone who glanced his way, and he seemed to be functioning in his daily life quite well, but something had changed. It was in his eyes, really. Mary could see how cold they could be. He spoke softly to her, lay in her bed, even laughed a few times, but he was still so very far away. They didn't talk anymore and no matter how Mary tried, she found she could not fix whatever was wrong with him. She had learned to let it go and she told herself that as long as they remained respectful to each other, she could still survive this marriage.

That was all until recently. She held her hands flat against her abdomen as if she would be able to feel evidence that what was happening was real. She couldn't of course, for it was still early days, but she knew it was true. She didn't need a doctor to confirm it. Her body was changing, her courses had stopped these last two months, she felt the nausea, the tenderness of her breast. No one else had noticed. Not even Margaret knew. But despite the miracle that was happening to her, Mary could not bring herself to be happy.

"Perhaps it is a blessing that you do not conceive. I do not think I could bare having any more children" Those were the words Tom spoke to her on a quiet night a couple months ago when he had come to visit Tutbury for a week. They had been lying together in her bed and while Mary sort after warmth and comfort in his arms, he had been lost in his thoughts. She was just about to fall into a deep sleep when he had spoken those words. It was thoughtless, and Mary had felt so cold when she heard it. Cold because he thought her fear a blessing. Thoughtless because he must have known how much she did want children. Now, she had her firstborn child growing her in belly and she could not be happy. Not that this child would replace Matilda, no one ever could.

"Damn you, Thomas Boleyn"

"My Lady?" Margaret paused in her reading.

"I think we should head back, Marge. The garden is starting to fill up and you know I dislike such crowds."

They proceeded to head back into the palace, just before they made it through the doors, Mary got the familiar ominous sense that someone was staring at her. She instantly looked behind her to find nothing amiss and nobody sparing her a second glance. She carried on, crossing herself and praying whoever had tried to hurt her before was not out to finish the job.

"I knew I would find you up here hiding away like the coward you are." George said stepping into the narrow corridor on the top most floor of the palace. It was a known fact that Tom had a knack for finding the most obscure corners in the highest points of a building for the simple pleasure of looking down at people.

"George." He murmured silently in greeting.

"You missed the family meeting"

Tom shrugged his shoulders lightly, he did not turn away from the window just yet until he watched Mary and Lady Colt disappear through the doors. He gave George his attention then.

"What are you up to now, Tom?" George looked exasperated. It seemed like he was all out of pity, and the patience he had used to deal with his older brother up until now had worn thin.

"I cannot look father in the face just yet, so I prefer to stay away" Tom said in a tone of voice that made George pause to listen. Turning his back on the window and sitting on the ledge, Tom continued to speak. "You remember when Bishop Fisher and his guests were poisoned. The cook - what was his name, Roose, I think – was famously boiled alive for it."

George nodded that he remembered and continued to watch his brother with concern. There was a pained look in Tom's eyes, unshed tears that gave him a glimpse of the pain and torture bubbling inside the man before him.

"You never knew, but we were behind it," Tom's voice was soft and emotionless, and George did not know how to react in the moment, so he just stood and listened. "Fisher was a strong supporter of Queen Katherine as you may remember. Papa wanted to get rid of him, so we got the poison from someone he knew, and I was there when he talked to the cook, told him it was a type of laxative. We paid the man a handsome sum and made him swear to keep his mouth shut by threatening his family.

I was there when he was executed. I convinced myself that it was all for the good of our family. Our fortune was on the rise and I had to do my part. But for the longest time his screams and the stench of his cooked flesh hunted me. When Tilda died, they came back. I saw his face every time I closed my eyes. 'It is Karma' is what I thought. My own sweet girl was dead because of my evil act and then I remember what father had said to me the day she got sick. He pulled me out of the room and told me I was a fool. Fool for claiming her, fool for loving her, a fool for loving my wife. He walked away, and I didn't think about it then, but the fury in his words was not because I had claimed Tilda and kept her close to me, it was because he had failed in his mission. Father tried to kill Mary and, in the process, killed my daughter"

"Tom- "

"I am not wrong, George" Tom said forcefully and standing up. "I do not know how he did it, but I know what he is capable of. I should have listened to Mary every time she brought up her concerns, but I didn't. I must find a way to make him pay, George"

"He is our father."

"He is a monster." Tom said, "and I became a monster because of him." He looked his brother directly in the eyes "You were always the better man and I am sorry I took Mary from you. I do not deserve her"

George was taken aback by that and paused before he spoke his next words. Tom was in the soberest state he had seen him for months. There was no doubt that he believed every word he spoke was true. He sighed deeply and moved closer to sit by Tom on the window ledge.

"Neither of us do, brother. But she is your wife and she believes you blame her for Tilda's death"

Tom looked at him with raised eyebrows. It was clear he didn't understand how Mary could possibly think that.

"You need to speak with her honestly as you have done with me"

"I cannot tell her this. She will hate me"

"She wants to help, Tom" George said "Speak to her or you will lose her. I know how that feels like and it is painful." Tom remained silent as he stood up to face the window again. "If what you say is true," George continued, "and something tells me it is. I will help you. I will help you bring father to justice. For Tilda…for Mary, I will do anything."

Tom glanced at him for a few seconds before nodding once.

"Thank you, Brother."

"I do not know whose idea this was, but it is the worst torture to inflict on a woman who is already about to experience the pain of the lord's curse." Anne complained as one of her ladies used a rag to wipe sweat from her brow.

Mary quirked her lips in a small smile. Anne was in her confinement and was not taking any of it well. The shuttered windows, isolation, boredom, and in particular the absence of her husband.

"It was my great-grandmother and I know you will do well, your majesty. You must be patient and not strain yourself. I daresay, my brother will want his mother healthy and ready to hold him when he is born."

Anne smiled and extended her hand to Mary and she took it.

"Thank you for being here, Mary. For being kind to me. I know it is not easy for you, but you have been a great comfort to me these past weeks, despite all you have been through. I feel almost unworthy"

"Almost being the key word" Mary said, and Anne chuckled loudly.

"Tom is right. You are quite funny when you want to be"

Ever since Mary yelled at her while they were in Alnwick, Anne seemed to have grown to respect her more. She wrote to her always while Mary was still at Tutbury after Matilda, Once Mary was back in court, Anne always invited her for walks, private lunches or dinners. They never seemed to talk about anything from the past, or anything political. Mary found that she was able to block it all out and concentrate on the woman who was trying to be kind to her when she was feeling quite lonely and confused.

"I did have a favor I wished to ask of you, your Grace"

"I knew there was another reason you came in here," Anne laughed," and please, Anne when it is just us."

"May I beg leave of court once your child is born and christened. I wish to go visit our sister, Mary in the country. I know my father will not be happy to hear it, but I hoped you might be able to speak with him on my behalf. Mary has always been good to me and I believe I need to leave…familiar surroundings for a little while" Mary took a deep breath and watched the queen for her reaction. She knew Anne, George, and Tom sent Mary enough money to keep a good life, but none had yet to make the journey to see their sister. Mary was still a sour subject for Anne.

"Does my brother know of your plans?" Anne asked her

"Not yet. I will tell him if I can get your blessing"

Anne shifted into a more comfortable sitting position and rubbed her swollen belly unconsciously as she thought about Mary's request.

"I know he is not himself. Is it him that you are running from him? Why not go to Tutbury?"

"I'm with child." Mary whispered, and Anne's eyebrows shot up into her hairline. "I have not summoned a doctor. I just know it. I do not feel safe here, Anne, and I do not like my husband right now though, forgive me for being so forward, but I do love him so. I need the distraction of a new place and Mary's little one has not met any of us from the family yet. Oh, I hope you understand, please say you will help me."

Anne reached out to take Mary's hands hers again and her a small squeeze. "We have not been friends long, but this time around I will be your ally, dear Mary If this is your wish. I am indeed happy to hear your news."

Mary heaved a sigh of relief, she spent a few more hours with Anne, until she was told to leave because Anne had to rest. Mary walked back to her rooms with an air of contentment. She could not wait to be lost in the rolling hills of the farm, drink in the sun, and just relax. Maryanne had named her new daughter Anne in honor of her sister and she had wrote to Mary to ask her to be godmother. Mary smiled at the prospect of meeting little Anne very soon. Pray God, the Queen has a son and her papa is happy and all of England is spared any form of his unhappiness.

She entered her bed chamber and was startled to find Tom just getting up from the chair in the corner. She paused in her steps and awkwardly folded her hands in front of her, not that she'd look awkward to Tom. He saw sharp eyes staring back at him, and a clenched jaw that told him, Mary was not exactly pleased to see him.

"I've been waiting for you" he said softly.

"I was with the Queen" Mary said, and saw as a small smile graced his lips. Who would have thought. He was probably thinking.

"I need to talk to you-"

"I'm leaving"

They spoke at the same time. Tom closed his mouth and frowned.

"Once the Queen is delivered of her babe, I am going to Essex to visit Mary and her family. I will stay with her for a few months and then return to Tutbury. I think it is best"

"Mary, you can't do that"

"I can, and the Queen has given me leave and my father will as well. I need to go"

Tom felt ill at her words. It was too late then. George was right, he had ruined what little joy they already. How many months had they been happy, not long at all and then this cruel twist of fate.

"You…need to go?" He repeated uselessly, but Mary still responded.

"Yes"

Perhaps it was for the best. With Mary safe on that farm with his sister and her husband, he could concentrate on the evil that was his father. He and George will bring him to justice and Mary would be safe. He will send a trusted guard with her and she will go with Lady Colt. He will demand reports from them, she will be safe away from court. Also, this way he wouldn't need to confess the whole business with Bishop Fisher's cook. Mary already thought the worst of him, he did not want to add to it. Yes, this was better.

"Very well." He said, a strained smile appearing on his face. "Maryanne would be glad to have you, I'm sure. I'll write to her and Stafford and send them some money for your stay" He moved and came close to her. Mary still had her hands folded in front of her and she hoped to God he did not see them trembling.

He leaned into her until their eyes were level. He should tell her that he was sorry and that he cared for her and that he did not want her to leave him. He should tell her that he will miss her, but he said none of that.

"Keep vigilant. even in the country" He said instead, an emotion he could not read crossed Mary's face, was it disappointment? He never knew with her sometimes. He gave her a kiss on the cheek, wished her good night and left.

Mary took a deep breath and placed a hand on her lower abdomen. She should have told him. She knew she was being so stubborn, but it didn't feel like the right time. She didn't know when the right time would be. Straightening her back, Mary walked back into her outer chambers to call two of the new ladies in her service to get her ready for dinner. She will keep her head up and try and survive being at court for just a little longer. She hoped to God it wasn't long now.

There you are! I can't thank you all enough for your kind words and encouragement. I had such a busy year finishing up with school and just dealing with life. Special shout out to rizzy2461 for reading all my stories and for the thoughtful review. I pulled out my computer right after. I hope you all like it.